Eurynome aspera

Eurynome aspera
Eurynoma aspera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Majidae
Genus: Eurynome
Species: E.aspera
Binomial name
Eurynome aspera
(Pennant, 1777)

Eurynome aspera, the strawberry crab, is a species of crab in the family Majidae.It is small (1-2cm) and sometimes a vague strawberry colour.The carapace and legs are often encrusted with algae and mud which act as camouflage.

Range

The East Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and South Africa.

Description

The rostrum is bipartite, forming a double point.The two points are widely separated, each broad at the base and tapering forwards.The postorbital spine is laterally expanded and the antorbital spine is absent.Many areas of the carapace have tubercles. The second and third peduncular segments of the antenna are broad and the eyestalks retract. The chelipeds are equal in size and those of the female are shorter and less developed than in the male. The body and legs are pale red to brown,occasionally blue-grey, and the tubercles (warts) are white or brown.This species has been confused with Eurynome spinosa See Hartnoll, 1961 (references),


Habitat

Depth range - lower shore to 180 metres.

References

Crustaceana, Volume 2, Issue 3, pages 171 – 182 DOI: 10.1163/156854061X00149

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